49ers

While most quarterbacks who have signed big-money deals in the past few years have injury protected salaries that vest on the third day of the league year, Kaepernick’s vesting guarantees that don’t kick in until April 1 of each year.

As Fitzgerald points out, this gives the 49ers plenty of time to consider all of their available options and scout potential draft replacements before deciding on Kaepernick.

San Francisco would save $9.36 million in cap room and $14.3 million in salary if the were to release Kaepernick by April 1 of next year, according to Fitzgerald.

It’s worth mentioning that Kaepernick’s deal does include $61 million in injury protection.